Author Anthony Julian opens a time capsule for us concerning the history of the oft-maligned Pit Bull. Through old photographs and personal anecdotes, Julian paints a history of the breed very different from the contemporary misconceptions flamed by the popular media fear machine. He focuses on the history of the Pit Bull in American society, including acting as sentry over dead Civil War soldiers and co-star on “The Little Rascals.” This book is lavishly illustrated with vintage photographs.

This is the first in a series of books showcasing vintage photographs of people with their beloved pit bulls. $1 from the sale of each book goes to pit bull rescues !

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for December, 2014 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

13

Pit Bulls

Anthony Julian

History

2

–

Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleys

Steve Troutman

Earth History

3

9

Visions of Teaoga

Jim Remsen

YA Fiction

4

5

As the Paint Dries

Carrie Wissler-Thomas

Art History

5

–

A Pennsylvania Mennonite and the California Gold Rush

Lawrence Knorr

History

6

–

The Relations of Dwight D Eisenhower

Lawrence Knorr

Genealogy

7

NEW

Forts, Forests, and Flintlocks

John L. Moore

History

8

15

A Brother’s Cold Case

Dennis Herrick

Thriller Fiction

9

12

Call Sign Dracula

Joe Fair

War Memoir

10

8

Poor Will’s Almanack 2015

Bill Felker

Almanac

11

10

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last

Mike Campbell

History

12

–

The Relations of Isaac F Stiely: Minister of the Mahantongo Valley

Lawrence Knorr

Local History

13

11

Head Over Wheels

Ken Mercurio

Sports Memoir

14

–

The Complete Story of the Worldwide Invasion of the Orange Orbs

Terry Ray

Paranormal

15

–

The Hackman Story

Knorr & Grace

Family History

16

16

Keystone Tombstones Civil War

Farrell, Farley & Knorr

War Biography

17

–

General John Fulton Reynolds

Knorr, Riley & Watson

Biography

18

–

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

19

–

Modern Realism According to Fritz

Lawrence Knorr

Art History

20

–

The Relations of Milton Snavely Hershey

Lawrence Knorr

Genealogy

Sunbury Press had its best fourth quarter ever, up nearly 50% from the 4th quarter of 2013. For the month, sales were up 45% as compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date, sales are up over 20% overall. Simply put, the company had its best year ever. Trade paperback sales soared 24% in 2014. Hardcover sales since June have rocketed past eBook sales, which were down over 15% for the year. There appears to have been no Christmas rebound for eBooks.

Tony Julian’s Pit Bulls, available in both trade paperback and hardcover, led the pack thanks to achieving consistently-high Amazon category rankings and due to the $1 per book donation pledge by the publisher. Steve Troutman’s Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleys grabbed #2 thanks to author activities. Jim Remsen’s Visions of Teaga moved up to #3 as a result of ongoing author promotions. As the Paint Dries, Carrie Wissler-Thomas’s history of the Art Association of Harrisburg, co-authored by Michael Barton, notched up to #4 due to bookstore sales in Harrisburg and Christmas sales at the Association. Lawrence Knorr grabbed seven spots in the top 20 due to multiple television and radio appearances: #5 A Pennsylvania Mennonite and the California Gold Rush, #6The Relations of Dwight D. Eisenhower, #12 The Relations of Isaac F. Stiely: Minister of the Mahantongo Valley, #15 The Hackman Story, with the late Dorothy Grace, #16 with Joe Farrell and Joe Farley Keystone Tombstones Civil War, #17 General John Fulton Reynolds co-authored with Michael Riley and Diane Watson, #19 Modern Realism According to Fritz, and #20 The Relations of Milton Snavely Hershey. John L. Moore’s latest in the Frontier Pennsylvania Series, Forts, Forests, and Flintlocks debuted at #7 due to sales at regional retail outlets. A Brother’s Cold Case, by Dennis Herrick, moved up to #8 thanks to author activities. He also nabbed #18 with Winter of the Metal People. Joe Fair’s Vietnam memoir Call Sign Dracula climbed the rankings to #9 thanks to author appearances. Bill Felker’s Poor Will’s Almanack 2015 slipped a bit to #10 thanks to sales from the author’s annual buyers. Mike Campbell’s Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last held at #11 due to national media attention for the search for the aviatrix’s plane. Head Over Wheels, Ken Mercurio’s cycling memoir slipped to #13, It continues to receive strong interest from cycling enthusiasts. Terry Ray’s The Complete Story of the Worldwide Invasion of the Orange Orbs returned to the rankings at #14 due to attention from MUFON.